the region around 1300. Shoemaking has been a traditional industry in Groitzsch since the Middle Ages. The produce was sold on the Leipzig Fair. The surrounding countryside with its fertile soil is shaped by agriculture. New industries were established in the 19th century, and the town was enlargened. In 1874 the Gaschwitz-Meuselwitz railway opened with a station in Groitzsch, and the opening of the Neukieritzsch-Pegau railway in 1909 made the town an interchange point. The town and in particular the area around the railway station suffered heavy damage in aerial bombardments in World War II. American troops liberated Groitzsch on 14 April 1945 and left on 30 June 1945, after which date Soviet troops occupied the area. e The railway to Gaschwitz was interrupted by lignite mining in 1957 and lost its passenger service in 1966. The line to Meuselwitz lost its passenger service in 1976 when it, too, was interrupted by mining activities, and was finally closed in 1998. Lack of continued demand led to the closure of the line to Pegau and Neukieritzsch to passengers in 1997 and to freight in 1999. The 950th anniversary of the town was celebrated in 1989. In 1996 the municipalities of Auligk, Audigast, Berndorf, and Großstolpen were administratively joined with Groitzsch. Notable buildings A 45 m tall steel framed water tower was erected in 1903/1903 and remains in use. The market square with the representative town hall has been restored. The remaining tower of the romanesque St Giles (St. Aegydius) church houses the regional museum. The church building itself was used as town hall and prison from 1563 until its destruction in 1633. The town mill was first mentioned in the 12th century, the current building was erected in 1803 and rebuilt in 1930 after a fire. Our Lady's church (Frauenkirche) of romanesque origin is located on a hill at the western edge of the town centre. It was last rebuilt in 1883/1884 and renovated in 2007. Only small remains of the castle of Wiprecht of Groitzsch on Burgberg ("Castle Hill") are still visible, but the site has been investigated archeologically and is protected as a historical monument. Education Groitzsch has a primary school, a secondary school offering education up to year 10, and Wiprecht-Gymnasium teaching up to matriculation examinations. A music and art school exists in nearby Borna, and adult education is offered by the local branch of Volkshochschule Leipzig. Religion